News
Festival of Learning at Cadbury College
This week has been an incredibly exciting one for the Sandwell Family of Colleges as we celebrated our first Festival of Learning! The festival took place from Monday 21st October, to Thursday 24th October.
The Festival of Learning celebrates and showcases all aspects of college life across the three colleges, with this year’s theme being Lifelong Learning. The week has demonstrated how the colleges value personal and professional development for students, staff and our partners.
We have been delighted to have been joined by some incredible employers and alumni who have shared incredible insights to our students and staff. Just some of the inspiring events that have taken place this week include:
- University of Aston for an insightful Law Talk to our Law students
- Khaled Daley (Alumni) who performed Hamilton at the West End (plus many other performances), led a dance workshop to various groups
- Birmingham Black Lawyers did a Tech & IP Law Workshop for our Lower Sixth and Upper Sixth Law students
- Working for British Airways: Careers in Cabin Crew for our Business and Travel & Tourism groups
Khalid Daley (Alumni 2012-2013) who studied Drama & Theatre studies, English Language & Literature and Business said “I loved my time at Cadbury College, it was amazing to be amongst diverse and multicultural people and setting. Being with the students this week has been amazing. It’s so inspiring, I find young people so incredible, they have their own individuality and is what makes them special. So many of them really brought it out and haven’t even reached their full potential yet.”
This festival is the first of its kind at the college and we can’t wait to watch it grow even further year on year. To see some of the events and talks in action from this week, please follow our Instagram page here.
Dream Big MP Sonia Kumar Tells Students On Her Return To Cadbury
Politics A Level students from Cadbury Sixth Form College had the inspirational opportunity to hear from Sonia Kumar, Dudley’s first female MP and former alumna.
Sonia, a former NHS physiotherapist, shared her insights into the world of politics, her journey from Cadbury to Parliament, and current affairs.
She graduated with a distinction in MSc business and management from Aston University in July – the same month she gained her Dudley seat at the 2024 General Election with a majority of 1,900.
After leaving Cadbury College Sonia worked at the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital in Northfield where she is now a foundation trust member.
Sonia says: “My message to students is to dream big, break glass ceilings, and manifest what they want to do. I worked in the NHS for a decade and decided I wanted to make more of a change with politics and also studying at the same time. There is nothing you can’t achieve if you put your mind to it.”
Planning Your Open Day at Cadbury Sixth Form College – Make the Most of It!
Have you signed up to our Open Day and wondering how you can make the most out of your time here? With so much to see and do, we’ve pulled together our top tips to help you get the most of your experience.
- Meet current students: get the lowdown!
Ever wondered what student life is like at Cadbury Sixth Form College? Now’s your chance to find out by talking to our current students. Whether it’s about the freedom of college life, course choices or even how they use their free bus pass (yes it’s really a free bus pass), they’re there to help you! They’ve been in your position before so will be more than happy to help – they’ll be wearing green t-shirts!
- Choose your perfect timetable
At Cadbury Sixth Form College, we don’t make you choose certain subjects to fit within a timetable. You can mix A Levels and BTECs to create a schedule that fits you and your career plans. That’s right, you can balance the Arts with Science and Biology with Drama. So make sure you ask as many questions about your courses as possible.
- Enjoy the freedom of college life – welcome to independence
At Cadbury, you’re treated like an adult here. This means you manage your own time, choose which subjects to focus on and find the balance between socialising and studying. Make sure you take a look around the campus to find study spaces, hang out spaces, canteen and anything else you fancy!
- Learn about student support – we’ve got your back
Need some extra help with your studies or settling into the change of college life? We have an incredible student support team who can offer guidance, mental health support, learning support and so much more. Be sure to chat to them on the day and how it can help you through your time at Cadbury!
- Free bus pass for all students
One huge perk of studying at Cadbury College is that all students get a free year-round bus pass making it easy to get to college without breaking the bank. At the Open Day, you can ask all about this, knowing your transport costs to college won’t be an issue.
BONUS TIPS!
- Ask about extracurricular societies on offer
- Take notes (whether that’s on a notepad or your phone)
- Come with any questions you want to ask and we’ll be more than happy to help
Not yet signed up? Sign up here: https://www.cadcol.ac.uk/open-days/
Older News & Event Articles
Cadbury Sixth Form College Creative Arts students are wrapping up their studies in style with a striking End of Year Show!
Join us for an evening of Art, Textiles, 3D Design, Photography, Media, Graphics, Performing Arts and Music on:
Thursday 27 June, 4.30 – 7.30pm
Poster by Robin Gilgunn, AS Graphics, Photography and Computer Science student
Cadbury Performing Arts students sang live on stage to a 300-strong audience at Disneyland Paris.
The incredibly talented learners performed a medley of classic Disney songs on the Videopolis Stage.
Following their performance, they were congratulated by members of the public on their amazing show, and even had children asking to take photos with them!
Lecturer Rosie Nisbet said: “We could not be prouder of them all, and we are so pleased that they all had such a fantastic end to the college year with a fun few days away.”
Cadbury Culture Day and One World hugely contributed to the success of Summer Unity Fest – a celebratory week across the Sandwell family of campuses for everyone to unite, reflect and have fun.
Culture Day was an incredible day filled with cultural exchange, interactive quizzes and delicious food at our Cadbury campus. We then joined with Sandwell College to celebrate the festival week with a showcase of diversity, talent and togetherness at the annual One World event. Central Saint Michael’s very own A Level Science lecturers Dr Ross Cooper and Dr Avtar Singh also performed a duet on the vibrant main stage.
A host of talented artists and performers performed on the colourful main stage, from Wen Sheung dancers, Eternal Taal drums, Giddah, Kathak, Ecuadorian, Columbian and Congolese dancers to K-pop, street dance, storytelling and Afrobeat, and so much more besides, while learners and lecturers wore their national and regional dress.
A series of speakers opened the inspirational event, including Principal and CEO Graham Pennington and Councillor Ahmed Bostan. Stalls were also selling a wide variety of handmade crafts and gifts and serving delicious food from around the world.
One World Organiser Manjit Johal said: “This event is a fantastic opportunity for us all to come together and celebrate our global community. Every year we make One World a more memorable one.”
